Internal Bipolar RF Probe With Isolation Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiofrequency devices for skin tightening and body contouring, particularly bipolar RF devices, face challenges such as discomfort, increased risk of burns, limited access to hard-to-reach areas, and inefficacy in areas with accentuated curvatures, leading to potential burns and reduced precision in treatment delivery.
Innovation Solution
A medical device employing an internal bipolar radiofrequency probe with a housing containing two poles and an isolation plate, allowing controlled RF energy transfer between them, along with a temperature-sensing mechanism to prevent overheating, ensuring safe, non-invasive, and precise treatment delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bipolar RF devices are used for skin tightening, then skin tightening and body contouring effects are achieved, but discomfort and risk of burns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the RF treatment into two separate poles (first pole and second pole) that are positioned on opposite sides of the target tissue. This segmentation allows the RF energy to be delivered through the tissue rather than concentrated on the skin surface, reducing burn risk while maintaining treatment efficacy through controlled internal heating of the target tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an isolation plate as an intermediary component between the first pole and second pole. This isolation plate prevents direct contact between the poles while allowing controlled RF energy transfer through the target tissue, thereby reducing the risk of burns and discomfort by mediating the energy delivery process.
2Ease of operation
If external poles are used on skin surface, then RF energy delivery is simple, but access to hard-to-reach areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from surface-level (2D) pole placement to three-dimensional positioning by placing poles on opposite sides of the target tissue. This dimensional change allows the device to access hard-to-reach areas such as the submental region and other contouring areas that are difficult to treat with external surface electrodes, while maintaining ease of operation through the simple bipolar configuration.
3Temperature
If RF energy is delivered to achieve skin tightening, then therapeutic heating occurs, but overheating and tissue damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the temperature of the target tissue during RF delivery. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the RF energy delivery in real-time, maintaining therapeutic heating while preventing overheating and tissue damage by automatically reducing or stopping energy delivery when temperature thresholds are approached.
4Length of stationary object
If monopolar RF with deep penetration is used, then current reaches deep tissues, but pain levels and burn risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional monopolar approach by using bipolar configuration where current flows between two active electrodes rather than from one electrode to ground. This inversion allows deep tissue penetration through the target area while distributing the thermal load more evenly, reducing pain and burn risk by avoiding concentrated surface heating while maintaining effective deep tissue treatment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides effective skin tightening and body contouring with reduced discomfort, lower risk of burns, improved access to hard-to-reach areas, and precise thermal control, maintaining therapeutic temperatures while preventing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
RF technology employs the use of electromagnetic (EM) signals, namely RF energy, which is the term given to high-frequency alternating electrical current at the frequency range traditionally used for radio-wave communication. Medical devices that emit RF energy produce a change in the electrical charges of any treated tissue(s)—creating an electron movement—and the resistance of the treated tissue(s) to the electron movement generates heat (i.e., an electrothermal reaction in the treated tissue(s)).
Implementation Method 2
an isolation plate, the isolation plate structurally disposed between the first pole and the second pole... the isolation plate is disposed to redirect RF energy from undesired locations
Implementation Method 3
at least one sensor, the at least one sensor structurally configured to collect intraoperative data. With specific regard to those embodiments of the present invention comprising at least one sensor, the at least one sensor comprising a thermostat, the thermostat disposed to measure at least one temperature of at least one tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device for skin tightening, facial contouring, and body contouring—namely, an internal bipolar radiofrequency probe. The medical device may include: a housing, a first pole structurally disposed inside the housing and proximal to a first end of the housing, a second pole structurally disposed inside the housing and at a first distance away from the first pole, an isolation plate, and at least one sensor. Additionally, the present invention relates to a medical device that does not cause significant downtime in patients; presents a lower likelihood of potential to burn the skin of a patient, as compared to traditional radiofrequency devices; and is practical, thereby permitting use in a wide variety of situations and contextual circumstances.